Stretching 101: How To Boost Your Energy At Work With A Few Easy Moves

When most people think of fitness they think of cardiovascular and strength training, but there is another important component of fitness, stretching. If you want to develop and maintain optimal fitness, be sure to include stretching in your daily regimen. Stretching is not only critical to athletic performance, but to overall health. Monday’s Motivation article, by expert Tana Amen gives us motivation and some simple stretching hacks to boost our energy with the practice of elongating a muscle or muscle group to its fullest length.

Stretching 101: How To Boost Your Energy At Work With A Few Easy Moves

“You always hear people talking about how important stretching is to your muscles and overall health. But why is it important to be flexible? And what are the benefits of stretching?

If you find yourself sitting at a desk or computer all day like most Americans, it is absolutely essential that you make stretching a part of your daily routine. As someone who practices martial arts and has scoliosis, I have found that stretching not only improves my focus and athletic performance but it reduces my back pain dramatically.

The benefits of stretching include improved joint range of motion, better athletic performance, reduced risk of exercise-related injury, increased blood flow to your muscles and aid in the protection of brain health.

When it comes to the importance of overall muscle health, nothing is as important as stretching. I recommend taking five minutes out of your busy day to stretch using an office chair. If you do this for a week, you will notice improvements in the way your body feels.

5 Stretching Tips:

1. Deep Breathing Is Essential – Make sure your deep breathing happens and is coming from your belly. Know that deep breaths equal better oxygenation of your blood.
2. Target Your Major Muscle Groups – Make sure your stretching includes your neck, shoulders, quads, hips, etc.
3. Hold Your Stretch – Always aim to hold your stretch for a count of eight seconds.
4. Listen To Your Body – You can expect to feel some tension while you’re stretching but if you feel pain, you have pushed too far. It is okay to back off and find the place where you are pain-free. Make sure to hold your stretch in that spot and breathe.
5. Make It A Daily Habit – The greatest obstacle most find is not being able to regularly commit to stretching or exercise. You will achieve the most benefits by stretching regularly and making it a habit in your routine.”

Be flexible and make simple stretches part of your normal workout routine and ease joint pain. For more great tips by our faculty expert Tana Amen please visit her website.